By Obasola Olatunde
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has condemned the abduction of 25 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS), Maga, in Kebbi State, describing the attack as “deeply troubling” and urging immediate measures to safeguard students.
“No child should be put at risk while pursuing an education. Classrooms must remain places of safety, not fear,” UNICEF stated. Speaking at a daily briefing in New York, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq called for the swift release of all abducted students and extended condolences to the families of the victims, while wishing a full recovery to those injured.
UNICEF emphasized that students, teachers, and educational facilities must be protected from all forms of violence under international humanitarian and human rights law, and stressed that perpetrators must be held accountable.
Highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to school safety, UNICEF recalled that the country endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration in 2015, a global initiative launched at the First International Conference on Safe Schools in Oslo, Norway. The Declaration commits signatory countries to protect the civilian character of schools and ensure safe access to learning during conflict.
Despite this commitment, attacks on schools continue to pose a significant barrier to education. According to a UNICEF report marking 10 years since the Chibok kidnappings, only 37% of schools across 10 states have early warning systems to detect threats, including violence and armed attacks. The report also flagged disparities across six critical areas of school safety: governance, violence prevention, natural hazards, conflict, everyday risks, and safe infrastructure.
UNICEF stressed the need for stronger safeguards to prevent future tragedies and called for collaboration with government partners, civil society, and communities to strengthen child protection systems and promote safe, inclusive learning environments across Nigeria.
The agency reiterated that protecting students from attacks is not only a moral obligation but a legal requirement under both national and international law, urging authorities to take swift and effective action